Oxy-Acetylene Welding
This is the gas contained in the red hose of the oxy-ace welding setup.
Acetylene
This is the more common name for Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW).
What is stick welding?
This piece of safety equipment automatically darkens to protect the welder’s eyes from the arc.
What is an auto-darkening welding helmet?
This type of clothing material should never be worn while welding, since it can catch fire easily.
What is synthetic fabric (like polyester/nylon)?
Welding works by doing this to metal, allowing two pieces to fuse together.
What is melting?
Before lighting the torch, this valve should always be opened second.
What is oxygen?
In arc welding, this coating around the electrode creates shielding gas when burned.
What is flux?
These are worn on the hands to protect against heat, sparks, and electric shock.
What are welding gloves?
This piece of equipment protects the lungs from fumes when welding in a poorly ventilated area.
What is a respirator (or fume extractor)?
This is the small pool of molten metal that forms during welding.
What is weld puddle?
This type of flame is achieved when oxygen and acetylene are mixed in equal proportions and is most commonly used for welding.
What is a neutral flame?
This safety device is essential for protecting a welder’s eyes and face from ultraviolet radiation and sparks.
What is welding helmet/hood?
This device provides the electrical energy needed to create and maintain the welding arc.
What is a welding power source (or machine)?
When welding, sparks can travel this many feet or more—making a clean, clutter-free area important.
What is 35 feet?
This process, where oxygen reacts with hot metal, creates scale and weakens a weld if not controlled.
What is oxidation?
The maximum safe working pressure for acetylene is this number of PSI.
What is 15 PSI?
This type of current, often used in arc welding, helps provide deeper penetration into the base metal.
What is direct current (DC)
This piece of equipment must always be clamped to the workpiece to complete the electrical circuit.
What is the ground clamp?
This safety hazard occurs when welding in confined spaces without proper ventilation, and can be fatal.
What is asphyxiation (or lack of oxygen)?
The area of the base metal that does not melt, but whose microstructure changes due to heat, is called this.
What is the heat-affected zone (HAZ)?
This part of the oxy-acetylene torch is designed to prevent flame from traveling back into the hoses and cylinders, preventing dangerous explosions
What is the flashback arrestor?
This type of current is often used in arc welding when welding magnetized metal or for cheap, general-purpose machines, since it helps prevent arc blow.
What is alternating current (AC)
This is used to mark the metal that you will be cutting, welding, etc.
What is soapstone?
This is the term for an accidental, explosive ignition inside the torch or hose of an oxy-fuel setup, which safety devices like flashback arrestors are designed to prevent.
What is a flashback?
In arc welding, this physical phenomenon allows an electric arc to jump through the air between the electrode and the workpiece.
What is ionization (or plasma formation)?